Preseason College Football Top 10

10. Texas
Strengths: Texas has a great group of running backs, led by Jamaal Charles, and an offensive line that should be able to create plenty of room for those running backs to scamper through. They also have a solid defense loaded with big hitters, and should be able to deal with the loss of safety Michael Huff.

Weaknesses: Surprised to see last year's national champions at this end of the top 10? While some preseason rankings have the Longhorns as high as #1, I have a hard time believing that they will get over the loss of Vince Young that easily. Young won several games by himself last season, and provided the Longhorns with a confident swagger that will be hard to replace.

9. USC
Strengths: Well, they're USC. And they have enough talent to compete for a national title despite all the great players they have lost to the draft the past couple years. Quarterback John David Booty will finally get his chance to shine, and having receiver Dwayne Jarrett to throw to won't hurt. The Trojans also have what many are calling the best linebacking corps in the country, making them stronger on defense than they were last season.

Weaknesses: After their incredible streak of wins the past couple years, the losses are bound to start piling up. We could be looking at a situation similar to that of Miami in 2003, after Ohio State upset them in the national title game and effectively crumbled their program.

8. Louisville
Strengths: With two returning offensive stars in QB Brian Brohm and RB Michael Bush, Louisville should have little trouble scoring points. The Cardinals benefit from being in the Big East, as they have a favorable schedule that should allow them to finish the season with 2 losses or less. They also benefit from having their two toughest games, Miami and West Virginia, both at home.

Weaknesses: Their defense is sure to give up a lot of points, and will simply be asked to make the occasional stop and/or turnover and not let the opponents score become insurmountable, (call them the Phoenix Suns of college football).

7. LSU
Strengths: The Tigers have two quarterbacks who can play in JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn. But such a blessing has turned out to be a curse for some teams in the past, as juggling playing time can prevent an offense from forming a solid identity. However, that seems unlikely in Baton Rouge, where there's enough talent at running back and wide receiver to make the offense successful despite who lines up behind center.

Weaknesses: The loss of All-American defensive tackles Claude Wroten and Kyle Williams will hurt, and the offensive line has some question marks. LSU also has a tough road schedule, with trips to Florida, Auburn, Tennessee and Arkansas.

6. Auburn
Strengths: The other Tigers have one of the best running backs in the country in Kenny Irons, and they also have a playmaker returning on the other side of the ball named Irons, in corner back David Irons. Auburn has 3 of their biggest games at home, Florida, LSU and Georgia, but must travel to Alabama in what will be their toughest road game.

Weaknesses: Auburn has had trouble stepping up in big games the past few years, and their disappointing bowl loss to Wisconsin last season will either haunt them or motivate them.

5. Notre Dame
Strengths: QB Brady Quinn is one of the top Heisman candidates, and he might not even be the best player in his own backfield. Star-in-the-making RB Darius Walker is poised to have a breakout season, putting up big numbers running and catching the ball.

Weaknesses: The defense is full of holes, especially in the secondary, and has a propensity to give up big plays. The safeties will have to improve dramatically from last year or else Charlie Weis's offense may have too much weight on their shoulders.

4. Oklahoma
Strengths: A healthy Adrian Peterson means that the Sooners have perhaps the best player in college football. Those who have forgotten about Peterson's freshman year, when he ran for over 1,900 yards, will quickly be reminded of his greatness if he stays healthy.

Weaknesses: QB Rhett Bomar has yet to live up to his potential, and while he has shown flashes of greatness, he will have to develop some consistency for the Sooners to stay in the title hunt. Questions on the offensive line worry many Oklahoma fans, as an injury to Peterson would be devastating for the Sooners.

3. West Virginia
Strengths: The Mountaineers have two of the country's most exciting young players on offense with QB Patrick White and RB Steve Slaton. They also have an extremely favorable schedule, with the likelihood of facing only one top 25 opponent all year in Louisville.

Weaknesses: It is possible that West Virginia could go unbeaten and not be in the national championship game, as a one loss team like Texas, Florida, or LSU could sneak in ahead of them due to difficulty of schedule.

2. Florida
Strengths: This is head coach Urban Meyer's second year with Florida, and thus QB Chris Leak's second year under Meyer's tutelage. Leak had an up and down year last season, and if he could eliminate the "downs" then Florida will be difficult to beat. They also boast several returning players on defense and the nation's top recruiting class.

Weaknesses: The Gators have by far the toughest schedule in college football, with road games at Tennessee, Auburn and Florida State. Oh, and for some home relief, they face Georgia, Alabama and LSU.

1. Ohio State
Strengths: In a word, offense. Returning QB Troy Smith finished last season with a clutch win at Michigan and a 408 total yard performance in a win against Notre Dame, setting the stage for a 2006 Heisman campaign. One of Smith's competitors for the Heisman will be his #1 target, wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., whose speed and quickness make him a threat to score every time he touches the ball. RB Antonio Pittman is coming off a breakout season, and will have to compete for playing time with incoming freshman Chris Wells, who was the nations top ranked running back prospect. The Buckeyes hope for Maurice Clarett type production from Wells in his freshman season, minus the off-field drama.

Weaknesses: In a word, defense. The Buckeyes lost seemingly their entire defense to the NFL draft, with several going in the first two rounds. Filling that void is a group of young and talented players with a lot to prove but also a lot of question marks. Traditionally Ohio State has relied on defense and special teams to win, but that won't be the case this year.